Ukraine’s President Urges Help After Russia Hits Black Sea Port

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

KYIV/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Ukraine’s president has urged the world to pressure Russia to stop continuing attacks on his war-torn nation after authorities said at least two people were killed and 15 injured in a Russian drone strike on the Black Sea port city of Odesa.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that “for over 50 days now, Russia has been ignoring the American proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire.”

He added that they included “refrain from striking civilian infrastructure and to establish lasting silence in the sky, at sea, and on land. Russia has responded to all this with new shelling and new assaults.”

Local authorities said Thursday’s barrage struck apartment buildings, private homes, a supermarket, and a school.

Amid the bloodshed, Zelenskyy called for “a strong push for diplomacy” as “continued pressure on Russia is essential to force it into silence and negotiations.”

The more “effective the sanctions, the more incentives Russia will have to end the war. The stronger Ukraine’s defense and our Air Defense Forces are, the more lives we will be able to save – and the sooner we will be able to guarantee lasting security. I thank everyone around the world who is helping,” President Zelenskyy added.

MAJOR DEAL

He spoke after Kyiv and Washington signed a significant deal granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s valuable rare earth minerals in exchange for long-term economic and military support.

President Zelenskyy also issued a separate update on Wednesday’s talks with Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel, and Defence Minister Yuriko Backes about reconstructing his devastated country.

Writing alongside a video showing how he welcomed Bettel with a big bear hug for the meeting, he said: “We are grateful for all the expressions of support for our state, as well as for the new aid packages aimed at supporting Ukraine’s energy sector and defense capabilities.”

He added they discussed “discussed Luxembourg’s participation in the reconstruction of the Kryvyi Rih district and the city of Kryvyi Rih, as well as our European integration.”

The city was the site of massive Russian attacks that killed and injured numerous civilians, including children, in recent weeks.

Kyiv’s key message, Zelenskyy said, is that “Ukraine is ready for a full and unconditional ceasefire for a sufficient period, which should be the first step toward peace.”

And, “We are ready for negotiations, but only after the killing of our people stops. And we are grateful to everyone who supports us in this,” he stressed.

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